Dawn cracked like tempered glass across the sky, bleeding golden light into the sanctuary.
Chen stood at the edge of the moonlit courtyard, surrounded by silence—but never alone. The heat of the previous night still lingered on his skin, his bond with Mei, Lanmei, and Ye Yue pulsing like a second heartbeat through his veins.
The system hovered faintly in the air before him, flickering with divine tension.
[Decision Window – Respond to the Obsidian Court]
You have been summoned to the Obsidian Court.Threat Level: ApexPolitical Implication: SeverePersonal Risk: Unquantified
Choices:
Attend under protection of bonded flames
Reject and prepare countermeasures
Delay and draw attention from rival courts
Chen's hand hovered. He didn't need to speak—his system felt his choice.
Selection: Attend under protection. Initiate diplomatic confrontation.
Scene Shift – Divine Court of Shadows
Far beyond the reach of mortal stars, hidden deep within folds of celestial shadow, the Obsidian Court buzzed with strange, hungry excitement.
Obsidian mirrors glimmered on every wall, reflecting a thousand distorted versions of truth. At the center sat a tall, genderless figure—draped in black veil, masked by crimson glass. They spoke without moving their lips.
"The God of Yang accepts."
Across the court, lesser envoys stirred like crows on corpses.
"Will he kneel?" one hissed.
"Or will he burn?" asked another.
The Veiled Arbiter raised a hand, and silence fell.
"We offered the illusion of civility," they said, "but we expect resistance. Let him come—let us test this human godling's spark."
In another chamber—unseen by the envoys—a figure cloaked in violet whispered to a mirror.
"You're watching this, aren't you… Court of Flame?"
Back at the Sanctuary
Chen gathered his companions beneath the moon tree one final time.
"I'm going," he said. "With all of you."
Ye Yue nodded. "We walk together. No more cages. No more trials alone."
Lanmei grinned, cracking her knuckles. "Let them try to tame you. I dare them."
Mei simply slipped her hand into his, squeezing gently. "And if they don't listen?"
"Then I'll show them," Chen said, his aura igniting faintly, "why the God of Yang doesn't kneel."
[System Update – Flame Ascension Path: Active]
New Perk Unlocked:Solar Conviction – In the presence of overwhelming divine threat, your conviction inspires and enhances your bonded flames.Effect: All companions gain +20% combat effectiveness, morale immunity, and shared elemental link for 72 hours.
Divine Escort Formed: Moonlight Blade, Crimson Flame, Soul Lily.
Teleportation Ready: Target—Obsidian Court.
Final Moments Before Departure
Lanmei drew her weapon and kissed Chen like it might be the last time.
Ye Yue whispered words in an ancient tongue into his ear, binding a silver thread of moonlight to his chest.
And Mei… simply placed a blossom in his palm. It bloomed with warmth, glowing pink and gold.
"For luck," she said. "For us."
The system flared.
The stars blinked.
And then, they were gone—vanishing in a burst of golden flame.
Last Scene: Watching Eyes
Back in the Flame Court, hidden from all but the highest seers, a cloaked figure watched the mirror crackle.
"The boy chose boldness," they whispered.
A second figure appeared beside them, clad in divine armor.
"He's not a boy anymore. He's something… new."
The two turned toward the war map—where the Obsidian Court burned bright.
"Let's see if he survives this. Then we'll decide if he's a threat… or a rival god worth backing."